acceptance of volunteers, and I am happy to inform you that these have offered themselves with great alacrity in every part of the Union. They are ordered to be organized, and ready at a moment's warning, to proceed on any service to which they may be called, and every preparation within the Executive powers has been made to ensure us the benefit of early exertions.

linformed Congress at their last session of the enterprizes against the public peace, which were believed to be in preparation by Aaron Burr and his associates, of the measures taken to defeat them, and to bring the offenders to justice. Their enterprizes were happily defeated by the patriotic exertions of the militia whenever called into action, by the fidelity of the army and energy of the commander in chief, in promptly arranging the difficulties presenting themselves on the Sabine, repairing to meet those arising on the Mississippi, and dissipating before their explosion plots engendering there. I shall think it my duty to lay before you the proceedings, and the evidence publicly exhibited on the arraignment of the principal offenders before the circuit court of Virginia. You will be enabled to judge whether the defect was in the testimony, in the law, or in the administration of the law, and wherever it shall be found, the legislature alone can apply or originate the remedy. The framers of our constitution certainly supposed they had guarded, as well their government against destruction by treason, as their citizens against oppression, under pretence of it, and if these ends are not attained, it is of importance to inquire by what means more effectual they may be secured.

The accounts of the receipts of revenue during the year ending on the thirtieth day of September last, being not yet made up, a correct statement will be hereafter transmitted from the Treasury. In the mean time, it is ascertained that the receipts have amounted to near sixteen millions of dollars, which, with the five millions and an half in the Treasury at the beginning of the year, have enabled us, after meeting the current demands and interest incurred, to pay more than four millions of the principal of our funded debt. These payments, with those of the preceding five and a half years, have extinguished of the funded debt twenty-five millions and a half of dollars, being the whole which could be paid or purchased within the limits of the law and of our contracts, and have left us in the Treasury eight millions and a half of dollars. A portion of this sum may be considered as a commencement of accumulation of the surplusses of revenue, which, after paying the instalments of debt as they shall become payable, will remain without any specific object. It may partly indeed be applied towards completing the defence of the exposed points of our country, on such a scale as shall be adapted to our principles and circumstances. This object is doubtless among the first entitled to attention, in such a state of our finances, and it is one which, whether we have peace or war, will provide security where it is due. Whether what shall remain of this, with the future surplusses, may be usefully applied to purposes already authorized, or more usefully to others requiring new authorities, or how otherwise they shall be disposed of, are questions calling for the notice of Congress, unless indeed they shall be superseded by a change in our public relations, now awaiting the determination of others. Whatever be that determination, it is a great consolation that it will become known at a moment when the supreme council of the nation is assembled at its post, and ready to give the aids of its wisdom and authority to whatever course the good of our country shall then call us to pursue,

Matters of minor importance will be the subjects of future communications, and nothing shall be wanting on my part which may give information or dispatch to the proceedings of the legislature in the exercise of their high duties, and at a moment so interesting to the public welfare.

October 27, 1807.

The message was read.

TH. JEFFERSON.

Ordered, That three hundred copies thereof, together with the documents therein referred to, be printed for the use of the Senate.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1807.

Mr. Adams submitted the following motions, for consideration:

That so much of the President's message as relates to the recent outrages committed by British armed vessels within the jurisdiction, and in the waters of the United States, and to the legislative provisions which may be expedient as resulting from them, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

That so much of the said message as relates to the formation of the seamen of the United States into a special militia, for the purpose of occasional defence of the harbors against sudden attacks, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Mitchill submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That the part of the President's message which relates to the defence of our seaport towns and harbors, and the further provisions to be made for their security, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1807.

The Honorable James Hillhouse, from the state of Connecticut, attended. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives concur in the resolution sent from the Senate for the appointment of chaplains to Congress during the present session. And he withdrew.

On motion,

The Senate proceeded to the election of a chaplain on their part, in pursuance of the resolution of the two Houses, and the whole number of votes collected was 21, of which the Rev. Mr. Gantt had 11, and was accordingly elected.

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives of the appoint

ment.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1807.

The Senate took into consideration the motion made on the 28th instant, "That so much of the message of the President of the United States as relates to the recent outrages committed by British armed vessels within the jurisdiction and in the waters of the United States, and to the legislative provisions which may be expedient as resulting from them, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise," and agreed thereto; and,

Ordered, That Messrs. Adams, Smith, of Maryland, Milledge, Mitchill, and Anderson, be the committee.

The Senate also took into consideration the other motion made on the 28th instant, "That so much of the message of the President of the United States as relates to the formation of the seamen of the United States into a special militia, for the purpose of occasional defence of the harbors against sudden attacks, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise," and agreed thereto; and,

Ordered, That Messrs. Smith, of Maryland, Bradley, and Sumter, be the committee. A motion was made by Mr. Adams that the following rule be added to the rules for conducting business in the Senate:

At the commencement of every session a committee of three members shall be appointed, whose duty it shall be to audit and control the contingent expenses of the

Senate.

Ordered, That this motion lie for consideration.

Mr. White submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of extin guishing the claims of the United States to certain balances reported to be due from several of the states to the United States, by the commissioners appointed to settle the accounts of the individual states with the United States, and that the said committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise,

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock on Monday morning.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1807.

The Honorable John Gaillard, appointed a Senator by the legislature of the state of South Carolina, for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth day of March last, and the Honorabie John Smith, appointed a Senator by the legislature of the state of New York, for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth day of March last, respectively took their seats, and the oath prescribed by law was administered to them: their credentials having been read and filed during the last session.

On motion, by Mr. Milledge,

Resolved, That the members of the Senate, from a sincere desire of shewing every

mark of respect due to the memory of the Honorable Abraham Baldwin, deceased, late a member thereof, will go into mourning for him one month, by the usual mode of wearing a crape round the left arm.

On motion, by Mr. Hillhouse,

Resolved, That the members of the Senate, from a sincere desire of shewing every mark of respect due to the memory of the Honorable Uriah Tracy, deceased, late a member thereof, will go into mourning for him one month, by the usual mode of wearing a crape round the left arm.

The President communicated certain resolutions of the legislature of the state of New York, that an application be made to the President of the United States to fix on a plan for the permanent defence of the port of New York; and approving of the conduct of the Senators and Representatives of that state, in Congress, in advocating and enforcing the claims of the state in this respect; and the resolutions were read.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives have appointed the Reverend Mr. Brown a chaplain to Congress on their part during the present session. And he withdrew.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1807.

The Honorable Andrew Moore, from the state of Virginia, attended.

The President communicated a letter, signed William Eaton, enclosing the translation of a petition of Hamet Bashaw Caramalli, stating his services and sufferings in behalf of the United States, in which, relying on promises of remuneration, he hath exposed his life, and sacrificed all his means, and praying relief; and the petition was

read.

Ordered, That it lie for consideration.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1807.

The Senate resumed the motion made on the 26th October, "That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the expediency of authorizing the state of Tennessee to reduce the price of certain lands which were ceded to the said state by the United States, by an act, entitled 'An act anthorizing the state of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands therein described, and to settle the claims to vacant and unappropriated lands within the same," to such price as the legislature of said state may, in their judgment, deem expedient; and that the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise;" and the motion was agreed to; and

Ordered, That Messrs. Anderson, Bradley, and Adams, be the committee.

The Senate resumed the motion made on the 30th October, that the following rule be added to the rules for conducting business in the Senate:

"At the commencement of every session a committee of three members shall be appointed, whose duty it shall be to audit and control the contingent expenses of the Senate;" and the motion was agreed to; and

Ordered, That Messrs. Adams, Anderson, and Gaillard, be the committee.

On motion,

Ordered, That Messrs. Gregg, Thruston, and Jones, be a committee for the examination of engrossed bills, agreeably to the twenty-second rule for conducting business in the Senate.

The following motion was submitted, by Mr. Bradley, for consideration:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, further and more effectual provisions are necessary in addition to the act, entitled "An act for the more effectual preservation of peace in the ports and harbors of the United States, and in the waters under their jurisdiction;" with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1807.

The Senate resumed the motion made on the 30th October, "That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of extinguishing the claims of the United States to certain balances reported to be due from several of the states to the United States, by the commissioners appointed to settle the accounts of the individual states

with the United States; and that the said committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise;" and the motion was adopted; and

Ordered, That Messrs. White, Franklin, and Smith, of New York, be the committee. Mr. Tiffin, submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, That the following section be submitted to the legislatures of the several states, which, when ratified and confirmed by the legislatures of three-fourths of the said states, shall be valid and binding, as a part of the constitution of the United States, in lieu of the first section of the third article thereof:

"The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices for years, shall be removed by the President on the address of two-thirds of both Houses of Congress requesting the same, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office."

On motion,

Resolved, That Mr. Robinson be of the committee for enrolled bills, jointly with such committee as may be appointed for that purpose on the part of the House of Representatives.

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives accordingly.
Mr. Mitchill submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and what, alterations are necessary to be made in the laws respecting insurrections and violations of the public peace and authority, as well as the laws respecting the conspiracy or enterprize of private individuals against foreign nations in amity with the United States, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1807.

The Senate assembled; and

Adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1807.

The President laid before the Senate the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the act, entitled "An act to establish the Treasury Department;" and the report was read.

Ordered, That it lie for consideration; and that the usual number be printed for the use of the Senate.

The President communicated a letter from the governor of the Indiana territory, together with certain resolutions of the legislative council and house of representatives of the said territory, on the expediency of suspending the sixth article of compact contained in the ordinance for the government of the northwestern territory, passed the 13th day of July, 1787, which respects the admission of slaves; for reasons mentioned in the said resolutions; also, a remonstrance of sundry citizens of Clark county, in Springville, in the said territory, against the said resolutions; and stating the expediency of suspending any proceedings on the subject, until the period arrives when the said territory may be admitted into the Union; and the communications were read. Ordered, That they be referred to Messrs. Franklin, Kitchel, and Tiffin, to consider and report thereon

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock on Monday morning.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1807.

Mr. Pope, appointed a Senator by the state of Kentucky, produced his credentials, which were read.

Ordered, That they lie on file.

The motion made on the 4th instant, "That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, further and more effectual provisions are necessary, in addition to the act, entitled 'An act for the more effectual preservation of peace in the ports and harbors of the United States, and in the waters under their jurisdiction,' with leave to report by bill or otherwise," was resumed and adopted; and

Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Adams, Smith, of Maryland, Milledge, Mitchill, and Anderson, the committee appointed the 30th October, to consider that

recent

part of the message of the President of the United States which respects outrages committed by British armed vessels," and that Messrs. Bradley and Sumter be added to the said committee.

After the consideration of the Executive business,

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1807.

A letter was communicated from Dr. Gantt, declining his appointment to be chaplain. On motion,

That the Senate proceed to the election of a chaplain in place of Mr. Gantt, declined; It was agreed to postpone the appointment until to-morrow.

The Senate resumed the motion made on the 5th November, "That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and what, alterations are necessary to be made in the laws respecting insurrections and violations of the public peace and authority, as well as the laws respecting the conspiracy or enterprise of private individuals against foreign nations in amity with the United States; with leave to report by bill or other

wise."

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives agree to the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of a joint committee on enrolled bills, and have appointed a committee on their part. And he withdrew.

After the consideration of the Executive business,

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1807.

The Senate proceeded to the election of a chaplain, in place of Mr. Gantt, declined, and the reverend Mr. M'Cormick was chosen.

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatiyes accordingly. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year 1807," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. And he withdrew.

The bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading.

After the consideration of the confidential business,

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1807.

The bill, entitled "An act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year 1807," was read the second time.

Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Anderson, Gilman, and Adams, to consider and report thereon.

After the consideration of the Executive business,

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1807.

Mr. Franklin, from the committee to whom were referred, on the 7th instant, the resolutions of the legislative council and house of representatives of the Indiana territory, on the propriety of suspending the sixth article of compact contained in the ordinance for the government of the northwestern territory, passed the 13th day of July, 1787, together with a remonstrance of certain citizens of Clark county against the said resolutions, made report; which was read.

Ordered, That it lie for consideration.

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock on Monday morning.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1807.

Mr. Anderson, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year 1807, reported certain documents, and the bill without amendment.

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